May 3 is not only Ann Elmore Haig-Brown’s birthday, but it has been declared by the City of Campbell River as Ann Elmore Day to recognize her contributions to the community. Although internationally her husband’s achievements are more widely recognized, within Campbell River Ann’s lasting influence is a testament to what a strong, caring and influential woman she was.

Ann influenced many youth in the community through her role as school librarian, first at the elementary school and then at Carihi. She had a love of books, and collected and organized more than 3000 books in the study of her home, which has become one of the main features visitors to the historic Haig-Brown House come to see. Another lasting impression visitors to her house are impressed by is the extensive gardens that were strongly influenced by a trip to Italy. Daughter Valerie wrote in Deep Currents that her mother was an admirer of Renaissance art and architecture, and that later in life, she became fluent in Italian.

Before there was a safe place for them to go, the Haig-Brown House, known then as Above Tide, acted as an unofficial safe house for women and children at risk. As Roderick was to write in a letter reproduced in Deep Currents: “Mother is doing her 10am to 6pm stuff in the [school] library and liking it rather well. She also has the place filled with waifs and strays – one in the house and three in the cottage.” When Campbell River did get a transition house, it was named the Ann Elmore Transition House in her honour.

Ann also served on the Board of the John Howard Society (JHSNI) for many years. Paul Barnett, a former JHSNI director wrote that “when it came to social justice issues, Ann had a very pragmatic approach to how society should deal with both victims and offenders. She believed in focusing on compassion and healing. She had a natural understanding of justice and was ahead of her time in recognizing best practices.”

To learn more about Ann and about the work of the Campbell River and North Island Transition Society, stop by the Museum at Campbell River Wednesday, May 3 from 12-5. Museum admission is free to locals every Wednesday.